My Game Plan Rock n Roll Mardi Gras Marathon

Happy 29th Birthday to me. In less then 12 hours I'm running in the Rock N' Roll Mardi Gras Marathon. This will be my seventh marathon. For this marathon:

• I'm not running with my iPod. I want to hear all sounds and music.
• I'm going to do my darnedest to do a negative split. Start slow then work my way up. I'm going to start some where between a 9:30 a minute per mile to 10:00 minute per mile pace and pick it up. I usually get carried away in the excitement and start too fast. 
• I'm going to stick with my 5 minute run to 1 minute walk interval. Nothing new race day.Well...
• I'm going to run with beads and a jester hat. For a while at least. If the beads don't bother me, as well as the hat, I run the entire way. 
• Cytomax, the official sport drink of the race, doesn't sit well in my stomach. All four of my fuelbelt bottles will be filled with Gatorade. I'm going to rely on water at the water stops when I need it. 
• I'll have my Gus ever 5 miles. Which pans out to every 45 to 50 minutes. 
• Most importantly keep a smile on my face all 26.2 miles. Remember that happiness is a choice. You can be happy or miserable either way the distance is the same. 

ROCK ON \m/

Twitter is adding up my running miles

I was on Twitter and wanted to see if any one tagged me (a tweet that says @sideshowbobby71). Some how Twrun Log is following me and adds up the miles I run when I tweet the milage. That is so cool. I'll have to experewment with this to see if this really works. Take a look at it at http://twunlog.com/sideshowbobby71.

Today was my 18 miler getting ready for Rock and Roll Mardi Gras Marathon. I ran throughout Glenview. It was tough run for me. I stayed up too late the past few nights and I don't think I prepared enough. But I finished in 3 hours.  

Kick Off and a Bike Ride

I had a really productive weekend:

On Saturday I ran 5.8 miles by my house in Buffalo Grove before I headed over to York High School for the Fall Season Kick Off of Team In Training. We all had a blast. For me I was kicking off two things...

1)The official start of me coaching for the Chicago Marathon, Rock And Roll Chicago Half Marathon, and Nike's Women Half & Full Marathon. I even got to lead the the rally cry for the Marathon Team. I met allot of the participants. I'm really excited for the season.

2) It was the start of my Chicago Triathlon Triple Challenge Training. Training for this is going to be tough on me. I have to balance a 11 to 12 hour a day job, fundraising for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and marathon coaching.

Speaking of fundraising, it is going really well. Since the release of my You Tube Video last Sunday I have received $353!! Some donations came from people who just saw the video who live in Pittsburgh, Arizona, & California!

Thank you everyone that has donated. As for the color of my hair so far I'm having green hair with a purple stripe down the middle is winning. Remember a $1 donation gets you 1 vote on the color of my hair. You get a thank you e-mail with a link telling you where to vote after I received your donation. ($20 gets you 20 votes)

Please keep passing the link along to everyone (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCDqenRDR6M). Please post it on your blogs, your Facebook profiles, twitter profiles, etc.

As for today, me a Steve B., From The cycle Team, rode 41 miles on the 62"ish" mile course of the Blood, Sweat, & Tears Bike Ride (BST) that's happens on Sunday, June 22. There is a 5 mile Family Fun Course, a 25 mile course, 45 mile course, or 62 miles course. It starts in Highland Park Train Station and is $35 for adults and $10 for people under 16.

If you want to train for the BST Ride, The Team in Training Cycle Program is holding a fundraising program. The goal is $250 per person. For more info e-mail tnt@tntillinois.org.

OMG, only 6 days until the Illinois Marathon. Time to start packing!!

Six more days until I run my sixth marathon down in Champaign-Urbana. If you’ve been reading my status updates on Twitter and Facebook you know I fell pretty confident in my running. The other day I ran 7 miles along the Chicago Lakefront under an hour. That is even sticking with 5 minute run to 1 minute walk intervals. Training aside, I need to pack for the Illinois Marathon.

Just read the following items I need for race day:

• Running Shoes.  – Goes without saying.
  
• Team in Training Running Jersey – Have to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Have you donated a $1 yet to my fundrasing page?
  
• Running shorts – I’m not running naked in this race.
  
• Sun Glasses – So I don’t squint my eyes. Every little bit of energy counts. I might have to buy a new pair at the expo. 
  
• Team in Training Headsweats Visor – So the sun doesn’t get in my eyes and to support the Team.
  
• Two Pairs of Running socks. - Wearing two socks helps prevents blisters.
  
• Garmin Heart Rate Monitor and Watch – To help me watch my pace and keep track of my 5:1 intervals. I plan on doing a 8:50 to 9:10 minutes per mile pace. 
  
• Body glide. –Helps to prevent chaffing.  Something no runner should ever be without.
  
• Band aids. - To prevent bloody nipples. Yes it has happened to me. The shower after that one fateful training run was quite painful.
  
• Five Strawberry Banna Gu's - For energy replacement.
• Fuel Belt – So I can have water, Gatorade, and my Gu’s when ever I need it.
  
• Sun block – to prevent skin cancer.
  
• Pretzels – I get really hungry after mile 20 and to help replace all the sodium I lose while sweating.
  
• Running pouch – Something To carry my pretzels.
• Race Bib – I’ll pick up at the expo on Friday
  
• Running Chip – I’ll pick up at the expo on Friday. "No Chip, No Time."
  
• Photos of my inspirations – Pretty much my dad, cancer survivors and all the people I train with.
  
• Extra pins – To pin my bib, gu’s and photos  to my jersey
  
• iPod Shuffle and Headphones – That little extra boost in my head.
  

Incase it’s cold on race day

• Throw away shirt
  
• Team in Trainining Head Band
• Running Gloves – Incase it’s cold on race day
  
• Running tights
  
• Underarmor
  
• Plastic Bags - so Snow doesn't get in my shoes like the Shamrock Shuffle last Sunday. 

Why do I need so much stuff you might ask? I’ll be running 26.2 miles. It’s pretty much a 4 to 5 hours for me. I need to be ready for all the contingences. Something that you’ve been training for  4 to 5 months is a big deal. Usually things that are big deals, at least for me, require a little bit of planning and a list so I don’t forget anything before I leave for the race or my house for that matter. Most people don't realize how much thought goes into these endurance races. I just thought I share my list with you. 

 

 

A 16 mile run and very cold hands.

It’s 22 degrees outside and sunny, A.K.A a beautiful day for running. I put on my running tights, under armor, filled up my fuel belt with Gatorade and water, 2 vanilla power gels, 2 pairs of gloves, 2 pairs of socks, shoes and headed out the door for Busse Woods.

 t wasn’t as warm as last Sunday when I ran 14 miles, but the path was clear for a good jog. I lost my running watch again some were at my house so I had to estimate my 5 minute run: 1 minute walk ratio. It was a good run. I felt real good throughout the run. I did the whole 7.7 mile course once in each direction. I did one of the small spurs to make up the .6^th of a mile.

 Towards the end my hands were freezing. I was wearing my Asics gloves and then my Sluggo wind blockers but in the end my hands were numb. My hands were so numb I could not turn the key to get into my car for several minutes.  

 Only a few more weeks to the IL Marathon. 18 miles next week!

My schedule for the Illinois Marathon 2009

I went to Runner's World Magazine's website and used their Smart Coach application to create a running plan for the upcoming 2009 Illinois Marathon. 

I gave the Smart Coach application the following parameters:

Your current race time is: 4:00:00 for a Marathon

Your distance training goal is: Marathon
You currently train: 16-20 miles/week
How hard you want to train: Hard
Your long-run day: Saturday
Your training program Starts: Monday, 12/29/2008 and Ends: Sunday, 4/12/2009
Length of your training schedule: 15 weeks

Here is a link to my Illinois Marathon running schedule. Something that is different that I'm not used to...It has me doing two 20 mile runs. I might have to modify it alittle when the time comes. It looks like I'll be do alot more runs along the lake front this season. I hope it stays warm. 

Again my goal is to beat my 2006 Chicago Marathon Time. I want to get under 4 hours. 

It's Offical, I'm Running the Illinois Marathon April 11th!

It is official! Yesterday I signed up for the Illinois Marathon. This will be my 6^th overall marathon. The Illinois Marathon takes place in Champaign-Urbana on April 11^th. The finish line is inside the University of Illinois football field. It should be really fun race.

It’s a flat course so my goal is to beat my personal record of 3 hours 58 minutes. I received that time in the Chicago Marathon in 2006. Chicago was my second marathon and my first Team in Training Event. This race is preparation for Whirlpool Steelhead Half Iron Man that happens August 1^st. I will be fundraising for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society with Team in Training when I start training for Steelhead. I give you updates when I start.

I have not picked a particular training plan yet for the Illinois Marathon but I know I want to focus on my speed work. Saturday morning I ran 7 miles on the icy trails of Busse Woods. I did not go too fast because I took it easy the week before.

If any one wants to join for the Illinois Marathon sign up before Jan 31^st so you can save some money on the entry fee. We’ll have a good time running the race then have some good beer soon after.  

Review of the movie "Run Fat Boy Run". A must see for any marathoner.

When I was on the plane ride to Tucson I watched the movie Run Fat Boy Run on my iPod. The movie revolves around a over weight mall security guard named Dennis (played by Simon Pegg). Dennis left his baby's mama, Libby (played by Thandie Newton), at the alter by running away. Several years later, Libby is getting married to a well off marathon runner Whit (played by Simpons voice actor Hank Azaria). Dennis then decided to train for the local marathon to prove he is a grown up to Libby and his son. Only problem is the marathon is in two weeks.  (IMDB.com)

I liked this movie for all the little moments that reminded me of my training.

• There is this moment where Dennis has to go to Spin class for the first time. Whit  convinces Dennis its a "good work out". By the end of the class Dennis falls off his bike in exhaustion.
  
  It reminds me how I feel after a Tuesday  night Spin Class.
  
  
• Another moment I liked is the way Dennis gets a entry into the race. The only way for Dennis to get into the all ready full London marathon is to get sponsored by a charity. After failing to convince the racing committee he is running for a bogus condition his neighbor has, Dennis accidentally drops a wheel chair on a nearby runner. Then Dennis ends up taken the fallen runner's place for Erectile Dysfunction Awareness . Through out the race Dennis wears a bright blue shirt with a limp banana on the back. 
  
  I cringe because I run with the charity group, Team in Training. 
  
  
• Finally Dennis goes through all the pit falls of a runner doing a marathon for the first time without proper coaching or research. Dennis doesn't carbo load the night before the race, he wears cotton while training, and doesn't wear the right type of running shoes, and uses KY Jelly to reduce body friction.  
  
  I laugh because I did the same things when I was training for my first marathon. My first marathon was the San Diego Rock and Roll marathon in 2005. I had a salad and beer the night before, trained in cotton boxers (I know T.M.I.) under my running shorts, and discovered Body Glide the day before the race.

If your a marathoner or training for your first marathon watch this movie. You'll get a kick out of  Run Fat Boy Run.

For more on the movie Run Fat Boy Run go to IMDB.com and Flixster.com. 

I'm Thankful for alot of things today while I ran 13 miles.

It's Thanksgiving, Five days after I completed the Tour De Tucson. The Tour de Tucson is a  109 mile century ride in AZ. Anyway I didn't have enough money to do a Chicago Turkey Trot this year so I decided to do a run by myself. So I properly hydrated, packed two Strawberry Banana Power Gels  into my trusty Fuel Belt. Then I put on my underarmor, my favorite blue Nike running shorts, my favorite pair of running tights, my Asics Gloves, Zip Down Asics shirt,Team in Training Head band, 2 pairs of running socks, put on my shoes picked up my iPod and went out the door. It was 22 degrees Fahrenheit outside and Sunny. A perfect day for running. Not to mention a great day for long run before a big Thanksgiving feast at my Uncle's house in Kennelworth.

It was cool, Mid way through the run my fingers were freezing numb. But I kept going. I went through Nikol Park in Arlington Heights and ran to the highest point there and had my Rocky. Moment. Through out the entire run all I could think of was how thankful I was for everything. To have the ability to run on  a day were in a few hours I'm gonna stuff my self silly with Turkey I think it is a privilege for what I do. Think about it, there are people worrying about car bombs and where they are going to get their next meal. I've met allot of people and seen enough to know I am super lucky. 

Let's just go down a list:

• I'm alive. Only when you're alive things can feel so good. It may of been cold and my legs . felt like rubber but I wouldn't have it any other way. Not many people can take a day off and just take in the surrounding suburbs. 
• My family. Thank god I have my family. I'm luckey to still have my dad with me today after all he has been through with cancer and his recent trip to the hospital. I'm Lucky to have people that care for me and be there for me.
• My friends.  I'm so thankful I surround my self with people who lookout for me and can laugh with me. If I was alone I would truly be miserable and this Thanksgiving Run would be allot lonelier if I didn't have anyone to think about. 
• My Life. Not many people in this world can go for a run then come to a safe warm house ad then blog about his run.  
• My Health. Thank goodness I'm healthy enough to think about completing a half Iron Man in 2009.  There are thousands of people who can't run cause they are stuck in some hospital. All I can do is do the occasional fundraising for them and think about them while I run. 

If you get the chance, put your running shoes on or take out your bike and enjoy the day before you eat. It will put things into perspective for you.

Today I ran 13 miles in 2 hours and 4 minutes
through Buffalo Grove, Arlington Heights, & Wheeling, IL.

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